Strength and serenity

DESKTOP

MOBILE

Photography by: Amanda Aitken

Design brief

The design brief for this showhome called for a master suite that would feel private, indulgent, and in keeping with the home’s bold, dark, and moody aesthetic.

The suite needed to function as a retreat – a series of connected spaces that offered both comfort and impact.

Key requirements

A master bedroom that was refined and restful, with a minimal but bold material palette.
A generous walk-in wardrobe that offered practical storage while serving as a transitional space between the bedroom and ensuite.
An ensuite bathroom that would feel like a luxurious, spa-like sanctuary — visually connected to the rest of the suite but with a distinct sense of calm and lightness.

Owner requested inclusions

A freestanding bath as a sculptural focal point.
A double vanity in rich, dark timber tones with ample storage.
A frameless glass shower positioned under a skylight to bring in natural light.
Overall, the space needed to feel open, serene, and well-lit despite the use of dark finishes – with careful attention to detailing and flow between each zone of the suite.

Rich, dark timber cabinetry creates depth and contrast, while the wall-hung double vanity's creamy marble countertop introduces warmth and softness. — Rich, dark timber cabinetry creates depth and contrast, while the double vanity’s creamy marble countertop introduces warmth and softness.

Design response

The master suite has been conceived as a private retreat – a calm, immersive space that reflects the bold, dark aesthetic that defines the home.

A considered spatial progression begins in the refined master bedroom, flows through a generous walk-in wardrobe, and culminates in the spa-like ensuite, designed for both indulgence and functionality.

The ensuite is designed as a private sanctuary that balances drama with tranquillity.

Rich, dark timber cabinetry creates depth and contrast, while a creamy marble countertop introduces warmth and softness.

A generous walk-in wardrobe serves as a transitional space between master bedroom and ensuite. — A generous walk-in wardrobe serves as a transitional space between master bedroom, walk-in wardrobe and ensuite.

A high ceiling, expansive windows, and a skylight above the shower flood the space with natural light, ensuring the darker palette feels open rather than enclosed.

The freestanding bath serves as the sculptural centrepiece, while a spacious double vanity with his-and-hers basins provides practical luxury.

Every detail – from material selections to lighting and layout – was curated to create a sense of quiet indulgence.

Together, the layout and materiality deliver a master suite that feels cohesive and calm, offering daily indulgence while staying true to the showhome’s bold architectural character.

The result is a sophisticated and private retreat that balances strength with serenity.

The master bedroom is designed to be refined and restful, with a limited but bold material palette – the bed is situated beneath the skylights. — The master bedroom is designed to be refined and restful, with a limited but bold material palette.

Search similar articles

Credit List

Designer / Group Home Builder Design Builders Taupo	Vanity cabinetry Meltica – custom built, by Amuri Kitchens
Cabinetry hardware Hettich	Benchtop Dekton, from Amuri Kitchens
Basin Plumbline, from Zip Plumbing	Bath Plumbline Oasis 1800, in Sandstone, from Zip Plumbing
Shower fittings / accessories Plumbline, from Zip Plumbing	Toilet Plumbline Sfera, from Zip Plumbing
Flooring Bathroom – Navona Bone Tiles from Tile Shed; bedroom – Feltex Wool Carpet, from Carpet Court	Wallcoverings GIB, from ITM
Wall tiles Navona Bone; feature tile, Vogue White Arrow, from Tile Shed Taupo, installed by Stiled	Paint Resene
Lighting Switch Lighting / BME	Hot water systems Rinnal, from Zip Plumbing
Underfloor heating Warmfloor, from Stiled	Awards Trends International Design Awards (TIDA) Bathrooms – Runner Up

Design brief

The design brief for this showhome called for a master suite that would feel private, indulgent, and in keeping with the home’s bold, dark, and moody aesthetic.

The suite needed to function as a retreat – a series of connected spaces that offered both comfort and impact.

Key requirements

A master bedroom that was refined and restful, with a minimal but bold material palette.
A generous walk-in wardrobe that offered practical storage while serving as a transitional space between the bedroom and ensuite.
An ensuite bathroom that would feel like a luxurious, spa-like sanctuary — visually connected to the rest of the suite but with a distinct sense of calm and lightness.

Owner requested inclusions

A freestanding bath as a sculptural focal point.
A double vanity in rich, dark timber tones with ample storage.
A frameless glass shower positioned under a skylight to bring in natural light.
Overall, the space needed to feel open, serene, and well-lit despite the use of dark finishes – with careful attention to detailing and flow between each zone of the suite.